Padraig seeks Pebble boost

The three-time major winner almost certainly has to win this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California if he wants to secure a place in the Accenture Match Play - the first world championship event of the season.

And failing to do that could have the knock-on effect of jeopardizing his place in Europe's 2012 Ryder Cup team.

Harrington has played every Accenture Match Play apart from the inaugural one in 1999 and has to climb back into the top 65 (Phil Mickelson isn't taking part, thus freeing up an extra spot) to make the trip to Tucson later this month.

The 40-year-old Dubliner has turned to mental coach Dave Alred - the man who has linked up with world number one Luke Donald and rugby star Jonny Wilkinson - to help him.

They worked together for the first time in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago. Harrington came only 35th, but on his website described the benefits as "fantastic".

Excited

He said: "Prior to the week I was excited at the prospect of what he would bring to the table, but also a little apprehensive.

"Now that week one is over I am very excited about working with him and I can't wait to get to see him again.

"I was asked about what he does. The best way I could explain it was that he doesn't have new answers or questions, he merely asks the same questions but in a different way.

"He observed what I do and then gave his thoughts on how I could do it better.

"He has totally changed the way I will practice by giving it more meaning. The changes will have a huge effect for the rest of the year."

Harrington plays the Pebble Beach event once again in the company of racehorse owner JP McManus. They start on the Monterey Peninsular course on Thursday.

Tournament favourite Tiger Woods is at Spyglass Hill along with partner Tony Romo.

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback is no amateur, having tried to qualify for the 2005 US Open.

"He's one of those gifted athletes that whatever he picks up he can do," said Woods, who last played in the tournament 10 years ago.

"All the athletes that I've played with have just so much more power than we as golfers do because of the type of training and the size that they have. It's cool to see.

"He's competitive and he's been grinding hard. He's been calling me quite a bit and sending me video of his golf swing. Post-football he wants to maybe give it a run on the mini tours or the Senior Tour eventually."

Woods has finished third, first and third on his last three starts, but at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship two weeks ago was tied for the lead with Robert Rock with a round to go and fell back with a closing 72.

Pebble Beach, of course, is where Woods won the 2000 US Open by a major record 15 shots.